Something About Alexa follows a teenager dealing with an alcoholic mother and a bully who escapes to the woods to find peace till one day; he comes across the new girl in town who awakens his heart. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I live near the woods of the Pacific Northwest on the Canadian side, and have traveled through Washington state, and let me tell you, the majestic nature of these woods inspires its own special kind of romance, peace, mystery—and darkness. I love stories that push the boundary of truth versus the fantastical and wanted to craft a layered romance that offered a depth reminiscent of themes found in classic gothic literature. I am a fan of plots that serve to challenge reader perceptions, so when I started writing this novel I became interested in how I could fuse the romantic pull of “Twilight” with the deeper themes I wanted to explore. The backwoods of Forks became the perfect place to spark the mysterious connection between Jayden and Alexa. It provided a great way to incorporate nostalgia for Stephanie Meyer’s cult classic while providing a rich setting to delve deeper into plot, mirroring Jayden’s emotions as he grapples with the challenging aspects of his life and the complex relationship he forms with Alexa.

What was the inspiration for the relationship that develops between the characters?

I am fascinated by true stories where people have an immediate, inexplicable connection with someone. The idea of love at first sight often is dismissed as something that is only in fiction, but anyone who has caught another’s eye across a crowded room and felt that instant spark will be able to identify with the characters’ immediate connection. High school in particular, is a time fraught with intense emotions of fast love and infatuation, but also insecurity and a deep desire to belong. Jayden sees a loneliness in Alexa’s eyes that mirrors his own, which makes him feel even more drawn to her. She offers a fresh chapter in his life since she has not borne witness to the disadvantages and pain of his past like the other girls in town. There is something about all-consuming attraction that keeps me turning the pages of a book, so I wanted to give my readers that same intensity of emotion while exploring the complexities of what lies behind the heart when two people are drawn together in such a manner—all while flirting with elements of the supernatural.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

There were several themes that I wanted to explore while writing this novel. One of the more obvious ones, of course, is the theme surrounding found family and the role it plays in one’s life. For Jayden, there is nuanced emotion in the relationship he has with the Fosters, for though they provide a sense of security and belonging in his life, he continues to grapple with waves of loss and longing for connection to his mother and to the father he never knew. The novel also touches upon familial love and devotion existing even within dysfunction, as is seen with Jayden and his alcoholic mother and with Alexa and her parents.

Another important theme explored is identity in the coming-of-age context of how social influence can greatly affect self-perception. It cannot be underestimated how words hold power and have impact not only on one’s self esteem but on one’s sense of self. Jayden’s character falls victim not only to physical bullying but also to verbal taunts, which leads him down a dangerous and destructive path of how he views himself.

As the line between fantasy and truth become blurred for Jayden, and the question of whether truth exists behind the vampire/werewolf storybook lore of the town, a major theme that emerges is the question of what it means to be human, and the hubris of humankind as it grapples to not only define that but to control it.

Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?

I am currently working on a sequel to Something About Alexa, yes. I did debate whether to leave it as a standalone as I feel the ending is complete and fulfilling as is, but there is just too much room to take the plot so much further. I don’t want to go into too much detail as I’m afraid it would contain spoilers for those reading this first novel, but the goal is to have the next book ready for release sometime between the end of 2024 or early 2025. Fans can expect to see Jayden’s journey post-high school take a riveting, unexpected turn. The sequel will reveal exciting insight into some of his more esoteric experiences from this novel. Some of the favorite characters will be back, and as always, I like to keep readers guessing and the plot moving with unexpected twists and turns, so expect the unexpected and a leveled-up plot. As with this novel, I enjoy marrying the fantastical aspects of the narrative with true-to-life occurrences and trending world developments to lend greater depth to the themes explored. Prepare for a setting that is much more global, and a fast-paced plot infused with more mystery, romance, and high stakes.

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